Courses

ART/VCDMA COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

ART 100 ART FUNDAMENTALS (Non-Art Majors Only) 3 Credits.This course is a study of the spatial arts from the point of view of balance, proportion, rhythm, and harmony. Students will experiment with materials such as plastics, cloth, paper, paint, and dye.

ART 101 2D-DESIGN 3 CreditsThis course is a study of visual organization. Theories of spatial organization and designing in various materials will be studied.

ART 102 3D-DESIGN 3 CreditsPrerequisite: ART 101. This course will emphasize the innovative use of various materials and techniques in two- and three-dimensional design.

ART 103 CRAFTS 3 CreditsNon-Art Majors Only. This course will provide experiences in fundamental principles of design and the manipulation of two- and three-dimensional art forms.

ART 110 INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING 3 CreditsThis course provides the fundamentals in the practice of drawing in various media, development of artistic discrimination, and drawing skills.

ART 111 LIFE DRAWING 3 CreditsThis course is a study of the costumed and nude figure.

ART 200 AFRICAN ART: PAST and PRESENT 3 CreditsPrerequisite: ENGL 101. This course surveys the historical background of African indigenous visual culture, examines content and context, form and function, and discusses specific examples of how these unique attributes of African visual cultures have shaped modern art in Africa, the African Diaspora, and the world at large.

ART 219 PORTFOLIO REVIEW & ASSESSMENT I - 0 Credits.An initial assessment of the sophomore/junior level portfolio for all students in the VCDMA (BS) major. Members of the VCDMA and ART faculty; program coordinator and the academic advisor will use this portfolio to evaluate and document the students’ performance. It should be taken by the 2nd semester of the sophomore year or as required. This faculty portfolio review is one of two required to meet graduation requirements.

ART 230 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER GRAPHICS 3 Credits.This is a survey course and introduction to computer basics and computer graphics. It will consist of a study of the basic elements and principles of design, traditional art/design techniques, and an introduction to basic paint-oriented (raster) design software.

ART 231 VISUAL LITERACY: ELEMENTS OF DESIGN, COLOR, AND TYPOGRAPHY 3 Credits. Prerequisite: Art 230.As a continuation of ART 330, this course is an introduction to visual literacy, color theory, and basic typography. Students are guided through projects that apply effective visual problem solving for art and design with an emphasis on print and presentation. Students learn to apply the elements and principles design in both traditional (hand/paper) and digital design. This course further develops students' skills and ability to use object-oriented graphics and incorporate these with other raster graphics and software tools and art techniques.

ART 250 PHOTOGRAPHY I 3 Credits(formerly ART 350) This course is a study of the basic principles of the photographic process, including the proper use and maintenance of the camera and related equipment and the techniques of lighting, developing, printing, and mounting.

ART 251 PHOTOGRAPHY II 3 CreditsThis course is a continuation of ART 250. Special emphasis is placed on advanced techniques and artistic merits of photographic imaging.

ART 270 INTRODUCTION TO FASHION DESIGN 3 CreditsThis course introduces students to the basics of fashion and textile design. Students will learn the basics of fashion illustration, design, business and fundamental principles of the fashion and textile industries.

ART 295 INTRODUCTION TO TEXTILES 3 CreditsThis course surveys the technical and economic history of the textile industry with an emphasis on the chemical and physical properties that impact the look, feel and drape of a garment. Students will analyze components of woven fabrics, cut and sew knit fabrics, sweater knits and novelty fabrications.

ART 299 ART SURVEY 3 Credits Prerequisite: ENGL 102.Great epochs of art will be studied. Emphasis will be placed on art as a humanistic study and as a record of human experience.

ART 301 ART HISTORY (PREHISTORIC THROUGH GOTHIC) 3 Credits.Prerequisite: ENGL 102. This course is a survey of architecture, the decorative arts, sculpture, and painting from ancient through medieval times and the relation of art to the society and culture of each period.

ART 302 ART HISTORY (RENAISSANCE THROUGH ROMANTIC) 3 Credits.Prerequisite: ENGL 102. This course explores the nature of the Renaissance, European, and American art from the fifteenth century to the present time, and is a continuation of the relationship of art to the society and culture of each period.

ART 311 SCULPTURE (CARVING) 3 CreditsThis course is a continuation of ART 310 with emphasis given to the development of individual projects. No prerequisites for non-art majors. Art majors must complete ART 102 and ART 110/111.

ART 321 EXPERIMENTAL PAINTING (DIGITAL TEXTILES) 3 CreditsPrerequisites: ART 320 and 330. This course is a continuation of Art 320 with emphasis on using Photoshop to create digital paintings, collages, assemblage, and mixed-media projects. Painting on textiles will be given specific focus and attention.

ART 340 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATION: DESKTOP PUBLISHING/IMAGE EDITING 3 CreditsPrerequisites: ART 231. This course is an introduction to decision-making in the production of visual communication. This course blends technology with creativity to give depth in the understanding of imaging techniques, image/color selection, and print service bureau interfacing. Focus on the successful application of elements and principles of art/design and raster based graphics.

ART 341 ADVANCED VISUAL COMMUNICATION: ILLUSTRATION AND DESIGN TECHNIQUES 3 Credits.Prerequisites: ART 340. This course is an introduction to advanced decision-making in the production of visual communication. This course expands upon prior knowledge of technology and established creativity and imaging capabilities to solve advanced problems in page layout and print service bureau interfacing. Special focus on vector based graphics, advanced typography, and color theory will be covered.

ART 342 NEW MEDIA: INSTALLATION AND PUBLIC ART 3 CreditsPrerequisites: By permission. This course encourages students to use skills and knowledge acquired in traditional art and computer graphics foundation courses. It also allows students an opportunity to combine the concepts of mixed/multimedia, digital, installation, and public art. It further encourages students to explore creative uses of technology as a tool in fine art production. This course allows students to further develop skills in working in spatial environments. Students will work independently on a variety of lessons and activities throughout the semester on one major public art or installation project, model, and/or presentation.

ART 351 PHOTOGRAPHY II 3 Credits.Prerequisites: ART 250. This course is a continuation of ART 350. Special emphasis is placed on the artistic merits of photographic imaging.

ART 352 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 3 Credits.Prerequisite: ART 350. The course introduces students to the concepts and techniques necessary to create, edit, and store color photographic images using digital technology. Units on color theory, image-editing, printing options, and digital image storage will also be covered. ART 352 also focuses on personal exploration using technology as a creative medium for visual expression.

ART 360 DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY I: INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCTION 3 Credits.Prerequisite: Junior Standing, ART 340 or MUSC 312. Theatre: THEA 263. This course is a study of the principles of digital video/cinema including the use, operation, basic digital video editing, as well as the developing narratives and scripts for short video projects and exercises.

ART 361 DIGITAL CINEMATOGRAPHY II: ADVANCED DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING AND COMPOSITING TECHNIQUES 3 Credits.Prerequisite: Junior Standing, ART 360. This course is a continuation of ART 360. Emphasis is on special digital video and compositing techniques, as students will develop a short digital video project over the course of the semester.

ART 365 HISTORY OF FASHION 3 Credits.Prerequisites: ENGL 102. The course provides an historical analysis of fashion changes in men's and women's apparel from antiquity to the present. This course will also focus on diversity within the industry, and the impact that designers, seamstresses and tailors of color have had throughout the 20th century.

ART 367 DESIGN HISTORY 3 Credits.Prerequisites: ENGL 102. The course will focus on the historical and technological developments in design over the 19th, 20th and current century. This course will look at how design has helped shape and communicate society's values, and contributions in design and technological innovations.

ART 370 SCREENWRITING 3 Credits.Prerequisite: ENGL 102. An overview of screenwriting and provides VCDMA students and introduction to the basic principles of writing and developing narratives for film and television. The course will also provide a foundation in writing narratives for digital video/film production and provide students an understanding the screenplay format, editing and revision process as well as the basics of the business of screenwriting.

ART 375 SEWING STUDIO 3 Credits.Prerequisite(s): ART 270. This course stresses fundamental skills in the construction of apparel with emphasis on professional proficiency and full garment construction. Garments are created by both hand and machine methods. This course will focus on a multitude of closure and finishing techniques that will be applied to further courses in the fashion design program. Students will use standard machinery as used in the apparel history.

ART 380 FLAT PATTERN DESIGN 3 Credits.Prerequisite: ART 375 Sewing Studio. This is the introductory course for students in making patterns and how pattern making is applied to the apparel industry. Students will use flat pattern methods to transfer original designs from sketches to patterns with use of dart manipulation, added fullness and contouring; and emphasis will be placed on the use of the basic sloper or block.

ART 390 FASHION ILLUSTRATION 3 Credits.This course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to illustrate themes, concepts and lines for presentations. Emphasis is on technical fashion sketching, and the development of the fashion figure, design details, fabric rendering and collection development. Students will also be exposed to the technical side of illustration developing skills in flat sketching. Students will be required to sketch both by hand and with computer applications.

ART 394 HISTORY OF ANIMATION 3 Credits.This course will explore the history of American animation from film to television. In addition to the major animation studios, the course will explore the role of minority and female animators. The influence of animation on media will be addressed from the aesthetic, technical, business and cultural perspectives.

ART 396 2D DIGITAL ANIMATION I: INTRODUCTION TO ANIMATION AND MOTION GRAPHICS 3 Credits.Prerequisite: ART 340. This course is an introduction to animation using state-of-the-art software and hardware for motion graphics. It provides a study of animation principles as well as techniques in producing two-dimensional digital animations.

ART 397 2D DIGITAL ANIMATION II: ADVANCED ANIMATION AND MOTION GRAPHICS 3 Credits(formerly ART 497) Prerequisites: ART 396. As a continuation of Art 396, this course allows students to develop skills in two-dimensional digital animation production, character animation, motion graphics, and advanced animation principles. Students will work on a variety of lessons throughout the semester and on an extended animated production.

ART 402 CERAMICS III 3 CreditsThis course is a study of the composition and computation of ceramic glazes and clay bodies and includes laboratory practice in the development of aesthetic qualities in glazes and clay bodies.

ART 404 HISTORY OF MODERN ART 3 CreditsThis course is a study of painting, architecture, and sculpture since the French Revolution.

ART 405 HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ART 3 Credits.This course is a study of African American art from colonial times to the present.

ART 408 VISUAL CULTURE: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN ART, AESTHETICS, and CULTURE 3 Credits.A visual study and critical discourse on the aesthetics of contemporary art and theory as it intersects with urban culture and artistic movements such as hip-hop. This course explores the aesthetics, philosophies, and foundations of hip-hop by focusing on musical, poetic (spoken word), and visual expressions rooted within the culture. Visual and performance artists who have been influenced by and who incorporate hip-hop into their work will also be studied. Students will also study the relationship between hip-hop to visual art, multimedia, video/film, as well as with other cultures, and the political, social, and historical movements in African American history.

ART 419 PORTFOLIO & ASSESSMENT II 0 Credits.A final assessment of the junior/senior level portfolio for all students in the VCDMA (BS) major. Members of the VCDMA and ART faculty; program coordinator and the academic advisor will use this portfolio to evaluate and document the students’ performance. It should be taken and passes by the 1st semester of the senior year or as required and after passing ART 219. This faculty portfolio review is the final of two assessments required to meet graduation requirements.

ART 420 PAINTING: STUDIO PRACTICE 3 Credits.This advanced course provides creative experiences in paint media. Emphasis will be placed on development of individual expression in paint through explorations of materials, techniques and styles.

ART 451 Advanced Topics in Multimedia, Web Design, XHTML & CSS 3 Credits.This course is a continuation of ART 450 Multimedia Workshop. This advanced course focuses on web design, hand-coding and scripting for web design, and specifically using XHTML, CSS, ActionScript and other technologies. Student will also research and produce examples of web design and/or interactive media and incorporate current trends and practices for both the internet and mobile devices.

ART 465 COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (CAD) 3 Credits.Prerequisite: ART 340 Visual Communication, ART 380 Flat Pattern Design, ART 386 Fashion Draping1, ART 390 Fashion Illustration. This course will enable students to digitize a pattern from an original design. The courses will emphasize pattern development from a technical flat sketch with various fashion and design related hardware/software. Students will also center on marking and grading that pattern in alpha and numeric sizes. This course will also explore the structure of the body, proportions, and measurements.

ART 470 SELF PROMOTION and MARKETING FOR THE ARTS 3 Credits.Prerequisites: Advanced Standing and Permission only. The course focuses on developing and expanding the students' use of technology components, skills, and practices, such as the integration of video, print design, and online media to create proper marketing materials to promote the students' future chosen careers in the visual and/or performing arts.

ART 475 ADVANCED DIGITAL STUDIO: DIGITAL FILMMAKING, ANIMATION & NEW MEDIA.Prerequisites: Permission only. An advanced studio course designed for upper level students in VCDMA to research, develop and produce and advanced project such as a film, installation or animated production. This project is to be a part of a senior's final digital portfolio, Website and/or demo reel, and included as part of their senior thesis and exhibition. Students will also develop and maintain a professional portfolio, blog and Website to document and feature their creative and conceptual process, artwork and research.

ART 480 THE ART OF SMALL BRONZE CASTING 3 Credits.This course is designed for both beginning and advanced level students in the exploration of the process and the world history of bronze casting. Students will investigate one or more cultures known historically for their bronze casting and integrate those styles into their own artwork. During the semester, students will participate in all aspects of the bronze casting process: creating the artwork, investing, wax burnout, bronze pouring, chasing, finishing, patination, and presentation.

ART 486 FASHION DRAPING II (ADVANCED) 3 Credits.Prerequisites: ART 386 Fashion Draping 1. This course is a continuation of Fashion Draping 1. In Fashion Draping 2 students will be working on projects in the men's wear, children's wear and knit wear markets. Students will be given design briefs and required to design groups around briefs based on theme, color and specific material

ART 490 MUSEUM, GALLERY, AND STUDIO SEMINAR 3 CreditsPrerequisite: Senior Art Majors Only or Permission of Instructor. Professional Orientation: the students will be exposed to the problems of the artist in dealing with the public: marketing, displaying, and sound business practices; gallery and museum relations; and goals, purposes, and operations of art museums and galleries. Visitations to museums and galleries in Baltimore; Washington, DC; New York; and/or other major art centers will be scheduled.

ART 491 INTERNSHIP IN ART AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION 1 CreditPrerequisites: Junior/Senior Standing; Permission only and at least 24 credit hours in area of concentration. This advanced internship and apprenticeship course is intended to help students in art and VCDMA (computer graphics) make their way into the professional art, design/multimedia, and visual communications world. The class serves as a bridge between students both professionals in the various art/design industries and students.

ART 495 ADVANCED DIGITAL IMAGING: TOPICS IN DESIGN & DIGITAL IMAGINGPrerequisite: ART 450. This is an advanced course in digital imaging and visual communication design. It is designed to provide an in-depth study of design principles, including working with clients, creative briefs and strategies for advertisement and visual marketing. Product and packaging design will also be covered.

ART 496 3D Modeling & Animation I 3 CreditsPrerequisites: ART 396 2D Digital Animation I; permission by instructor for non-majors. This course is an overview of 3D computer animation & modeling. Through in-class lectures, assignments and homework, you will be instructed on how to use 3D software for basic modeling, rendering, lighting and setup for animation. Different methods of conceptualizing characters will be discussed and illustrated. There will also be instruction in using a bitmap based paint and illustration application to create textures. (Adobe Photoshop) The student will also learn some basic compositing techniques and computer simulation. The students will also be exposed to how the applications are used in real-world studio situations.

ART 497 3D Modeling & Animation II 3 Credits.Prerequisites: ART 496. This course is a continuation of ART 496 3D animation & modeling. Students are instructed and guided through advanced techniques for modeling, rendering, rigging, lighting and setup for animation. Advanced character, scene and object design as well as 3D simulation will also be covered. The course provides training in advanced compositing techniques, animation and modeling used in real-world studio situations.

ART 498 SENIOR THESIS & EXHIBITION 1 CreditPrerequisites: Permission Only. Senior Standing. This course prepares the student to exit the Art/VCDMA program with a variety of tools and skills needed to successfully work in their chosen field of Art and /or digital media arts. The care, handling, preparation, identification, arranging, exhibiting, and associated problems and responsibilities of gallery work will be explored. Students will develop effective strategies for marketing and promoting one’s work through a portfolio (slides, physical, online/website, and CD-ROM/DVD). The course includes a formal display of students’ artwork in the Gallery of Art.

Note: Prior to enrolling in ART 498, students must successfully pass a portfolio review by the faculty that reflects a comprehensive representation of program course work. In addition, the student must submit an approved, typed proposal of their senior thesis exhibition concept. Students must demonstrate a cross section of comprehensive work and must submit a minimum of 20 or more pieces for faculty review prior to exhibition. It is also expected that the student has completed a series of upper-level and advanced ART or VCDMA courses (300-400) prior to signing up for this course.

ART 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY (Fall, Spring) 3 Credits

Prerequisite: Fine Arts Majors and Minors and Permission only. Advanced study for fine arts majors who desire further study in a particular area. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours. The student must have taken two or more courses in the area in which he/she elects to do independent study and have an average of 3.0 or better in that area. Consent of the instructor and department chairman is required before a student is permitted to register for any independent study course.